Multiple valve assembly

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a multiple valve assembly, or manifold wherein a plurality of single, equal members may be easily connected to each other, and particularly pertains to a manifold that, when said single, equal members are assembled, provides not only a main lengthwise flow passage from an upstream pipe to a downstream for fluid flow, but also two opposite coaxial branches in each member, to form corresponding crosswise flow passages for fluid flow in either crosswise direction which may independently be regulated by a suitable valve.

United States Patent 1191 Romanelli July 9, 1974 [5 MULTIPLE VALVE ASSEMBLY 3,400,732 9/1968 Larrabee 137/608 x 1 1 Inventor: Antonio Remand, via Omoded 3:221:31? 311323 1 31'3;'?ff?i:::3,, 11:11.1??2333? 120,Nap1e5, Italy 3,559,674 2 1971 Ostwald 6131. l3 7/608 x 3,589,387 6/1971 Raymond 137/271 [22] June 1972 3,6l2,086 10/1971 ROth 137/609 x [21] Appl. No.: 265,595

Primary ExaminerHenry T. Klinksiek [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm-Allen D. Brufsky June 23, 1971 Italy 89526/71 52 us. 01. 137/608 i l Valve f 51 1m. 01. Fl6k 11/10 0 W .erem a P 0 8mg equa [58] Field Of Search 137/608, 609, 270, 271,- may be *P connected. each other F larly pertams to a manlfold that, when sald smgle, [37/561, 594, 595

equal members are assembled, provldes not only a 1561 CM 21:15:32,131: UNITED STATES PATENTS coaxial branches in each member, to form corre- 3,006,596 NCISOH X pending crosswise flow passages for flow in ei- Eeynolds x ther crosswise direction which may independently be aun 3,353,554 ll/l967 Ludkin 137/609 x regulated by a name 3,364,948 H1968 Seiffert 137/609 X 9 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 1 MULTIPLE VALVE ASSEMBLY In hydraulic systems employing a multiple of valve functions, for example heating plants with delivery and exhaust piping for hot and or cold water, or plants to convey hot and/or cold water in habitation or factory buildings, ships, etc., the use of members of only a type, i.e. having equal configuration and dimensions, have been proposed, also with possibility of easily and readily connecting a selected number of these members for obtaining a desired unitary assembly.

Not all the features of prior art hydraulic systems are however satisfactory. While improvements in single members of a manifold have actually been obtained in some case, constructive differentiations are necessary at least between the component members of a delivery manifold and an exhaust manifold. Further, between adjacent valve members of a manifold, i.e. lengthwise the same, at least a pipe fitting must be provided, particularly when a pair of such manifolds (generally for delivery and exhaust purposes, respectively) are arranged near to each other and with parallel lengthwise axes, so that their utilization may be actually satisfactory in different hydraulic systems.

The main object of the present invention is then to semplify and make easier the embodiment of a manifold by using a plurality of equal single members which may be easily and readily connected therebetween only by screwing the same to each other, so that a unitary assembly may be obtained wherein a main lengthwise flow passage is formed by the coaxial lengthwise main holes of single members, while consecutive branches are formed by the branches of each member of the manifold.

Another object of the present invention is to provide said branches as flow passages from each members alongtwo crosswise opposite coaxial branches of the same, the axes of each pair of branches being parallel/- therebetween, substantially perpendicular to the lenghtwise main flow passage of the manifold, and off set-inrespect to this latter, for a motive which will be fully explained hereafter. Because of the similarity of constructive features relating to each manifold component member, said axes of consecutive branch pairs of the manifold will lie on a single plane which is spaced from the main lenghtwise axis of the manifold.

Another object of the present invention is to simplify as much as possible the pairing of two manifolds, of this A novel and improved type, i.e. which are formed by assembling a plurality of single members quite similar therebetween both for their configuration and dimensions. The lenght of single tubolar sections, the shape thereof and the shape of related branches, as well as the arrangement of regulating valves of each manifold member are in such a correlation that the pairing of two manifolds side-by-side is possible with a very small space therebetween, a branch of a manifold being interposed between two near branches of the other. That is, a set of two manifolds may be provided wherein two indipendent main lenghtwise flow passages are formed by the main lenghtwise flow passage of each manifold, which are parallel therebetween and little spaced to each other, branches of one manifold as well as their related regulating valves being interposed between near branches of the other to obtain a functional unitary assembly the outward appearance of which is also pleasant.

These and other features of the manifold which is the object of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over conventional assemblies, not only from a constructive point of view of its single equal members and assembling of the same to form a desired manifold, but also of pairing two similar manifolds of this novel and improved type, with low costs of manufacturing and installation, will appear from the following description in which preferred embodiments have been set forth in detail with the accompanying drawings. While description and drawings are referred to examples embodying the principles of the invention, it should be understood that various changes may be made in its construction by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as also defined in the appended claims. That is, I may tell now that single equal members may be provided with one or two opposite branches, each branch being a simple flow passage or having also a regulating valve, to readily and easily form a desired manifold or multiple valve assembly, and two manifolds of such a type may be paired side-by-side as said above.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1a is an exploded elevation view of two manifold members, partially in cross-section, to better show some feature of same, each member having two opposite branches and a regulating valve for each branch.

FIG. 2a is a top view of the upper member in FIG. la.

FIG. 3a is an exploded elevation view similar to FIG. la, the manifold members of which are however so positioned that the possibility of approach to the members of FIG. 1a may be easily understood when the side-byside pairing of the two manifolds is desired.

FIG. 4a is a top view of the upper member, in FIG. 3a, the partial cross-section of which shows better also some constructive feature of a regulating valve.

FIG. Sis an elevation view of the two manifolds as in FIG. la and 3a, when the members of each manifold are connected to each other by screwing and said two manifolds are positioned side-by-side, so that branches of one manifold are positioned between two near branches of the other. i

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of a manifold member according to the present invention, along the plane of branch and regulating valve axes.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 but relating to a modified embodiment of a manifold member, namely wherein only the left-hand branch with related regulation valve seat is provided.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6, but relating to another modified embodiment of a manifold member, namely wherein only the right-hand branch with related regulating valve seat and a threaded aperture is provided, which is usefull for working purpose and is shown as closed by a suitable cap.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6, but concerning another modified embodiment of manifold member according to the present invention, namely wherein two opposite branches only are provided as integral with the main body of the manifold member so that the fluid flow through the opposite branch passages is not regulated by any valve.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 9, but relating to another modified embodiment of the invention, wherein the left-hand branch only is provided as flow passage of this manifold member.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 9 which however concern another embodiment of the present invention, wherein only the right-hand branch is provided as flow passage.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1a to 4a it is first of all to note that both manifold 10 and manifold 10 include component members 11 which are equal to each other in their configuration and dimensions. Each element 11 comprises a relatively long section of the main pipe 12 the end portion of which 12 is outside threated, said threated end portion 12 being shown at the top of each element 11 in the case of manifold 10. The opposite short section 13 of element 11 has a larger open bottom end, which is inside threated as shown in FIG. 1a, with a female thread 13 corresponding to male thread 12 so that two near elements or numbers 11 of a manifold may be easily and readily connected to each other by screwing the same. A main lenthwise aperture of substantially uniform diameter 14 will then be formed into the unitary assembly of manifold 10 as main passage for fluid flow, after such a screwing of a plurality of single elements 11 therebetween is performed.

In FIG. 1a (as well as in FIG. 3a) the main passage 14 of manifold 10 is shown as having a vertical axis. Each element 11 (see also FIG. 2a) is provided with two coaxial opposite branches 15, 16, the axis of which is horizontal and then normal to the axis of main pas-- sage 14 of the manifold 10, however offset in respect to this latter as shown in FIG. 2a (and also FIG. 4a). In this FIG. 20 it may also be seen that an intermediate hollow section 29 is provided between section 12 and right-hand branch 16 ro comunicate main flow passage 14 with branch passage 17' of branch 16, an obtuse angle of l35 being provided between the axis of said intermediate section 29 and axis of branch passage 17'. Flow passage 17 within left-hand branch is also comunicating with main passage 14 through said intermediate hollow section 29, an acute angle of 45 being provided between the axes of intermediate section 29 and left-hand branch 15, respectively.

For these coaxial opposite branches 1S and 16, which are evidently formed as integral body with main sections 12, 13 of each element 11, frustum regulating valves are provided within integral valve sections 19' and 20, respectively which are internally threaded and formed at right angle therebetween and at 45 in respect to corresponding branch sections 15 and 16, that is in respect to flow passages 17 and 17' wherein the fluid flow is to regulate. Each valve comprises a cap 22 having a threaded stem 24 to tightly screw into threaded section 19 (or by using 0- ring seals 23.

Threaded cap 22 is provided with an axial through hole wherein stem 26 of valve 18 may be moved both for rotation and translation when valve head 26 (see FIG. 4a) is operated. For that purpose an intermediate lager threaded portion 25 is also provided as integral portion of stem 26, which may be screwed or unscrewed into or out said internal thread 21 of section 19 or 20.

To facilitate the manual operation of regulating valve 18, forward end 26 of stem 26 is shortly protruding from cap 22, so that by means of a screwdriver, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 5, fluid flow through branch passages 17, 17' in branch sections 15, 16, respectively, may be regulated as desired.

As said above, regulation of valve 18 concerns the fluid flow from main lengthwise passage 14 of manifold 10 or 10a to branches 15, 16 of each manifold element 1 1. That is to say, a similar regulation valve (not shown in FIG. 4a) is also provided within section 19 of element 11. And it is to recall here that intermediate section 29 has an angle of 45 in respect to branch 15 and the valve seated therein (not shown) regulates the fluid flow through branch passage 17 (see FIG. la) of said branch 15.

It should be clear to the skilled in the art, also by seing the elevation view in FIG. 5, that when single manifold elements 11 are easily and readily screwed by using male and female threads 12', 13' of same, a manifold or multiple valve assembly 1(1) may be obtained, wherein a main longitudinal flow passage 14- will axially be formed throughout main body sections 12, 13 while a set of parallel pairs of opposite and coaxial branches 15, 16 provide branch passages 17, 17', respectively, which communicate with said main flow passage 14 through intermediate passage 28 in section 29.

As said above, in accordance with the present invention the configuration and dimensions of single portions in each element 11 are provided and designed so that two similar manifolds Ill and 10a may be installed side-by-side as near as possible to'each other, when such a system is required by the skilled in the art. Each of these two manifolds may previously be assembled indipendently, as described above, after which one manifold, for example that indicated with reference numeral 10a in the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 5, will be upset and turned about the main passage axis in order to have each section of manifold 10 oppositely directed in respect to the corresponding section of manifold 10a. That is (see FIGS. 1a,'3a and 5) longer section 12 of main body will be on the upperside of each manifold member 11 in manifold 10 and in the lower part of each manifold member in manifold 10a, the longer branch 16 will be at right-hand and lefthand, respectively in said manifolds 10 and 10a.

When longer branch 16 of one manifold is placed in intermediate position between two near longer branches 16 of the other, these two manifolds 10 and 10a may be approached and installed side-by-side, i.e.' with their longitudinal axes which could be spaced at the smallest distance therebetween which is allowed by constructive and dimensional features of said mani folds, however according to the requirements of installation.

In this manner, not only the longitudinal axes of manifolds 10 and 10a (see FIGS. 2a, 4a and 5) may be on the same plane, but also all the branch axes will be on a plane which is parallel to the former and spaced therefrom at a distance which substantially depends on the length of intermediate section 29. i

As shown in FIGS. la to 5, end portions of branches 15, 16 are threaded, so that extension pipes 30, 31 may be connected therewith, also in a conventional manner by using screw nuts 32, 33, respectively to have a fluid flow to the desired points.

On the other hand, the installation of two manifolds side-by-side as said above and illustrated particularly in FIG. 5, may give, for example, the possibility of consecutive alternate flow of hot and cold water throughout the branch passages, as indicated by continuous and dash arrows, both rightwards and leftwards. In accordance with the present invention all this is possible by employing component members of a single novel type ,which may be easily and readily assembled for the inof branch 15 and/or16 axes, and normal to the axis of the main longitudinal passage 14 of the manifold. In FIG. 6 are then shown both branch passages 17 (rightwards) and 17' (leftwards) relating to branches l6 and 15, respectively, assuming this component member body as a part of the manifold previously indicated with reference numeral a. Intermediate'section 29 is also shown between main passage 14 and branches thereof, as well as sections 19 and 20 wherein valves are operating for regulating the fluid flow from main duct 14 to branch passages 17, 17.

The embodiment of component member as shown in FIG. 7 comprises the left-hand branch 16 only, while in FIG. 8 only the right-hand branch is provided. Both embodiments are however provided also with related section body for valve, namely and 19, respectively. On the other hand it will be noted that in FIG. 8 a shortly protruding portion is provided at the out end of intermediate section 29, which has an inner thread for screwing a cap of closure 29'. It is to point out that such outwards protruding end portion of intermediate section 29 is useful for working purposesonly.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 to 11 some other embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, namely wherein no valve is provided for regulating the fluid flow throughout the branch passages of a manifold member. Also in these FIGS. 9 to 11 it was assumed that the position of the illustrated manifold member corresponds to a manifold 10a, similarily to FIGS. 6 to 8. Opposite coaxial branches 34 and 35 are shown in FIG. 9 for fluid flow throughout branch passages 36, 37, respectively, an intermediate flow passage 38 being provided in intermediate section 29 to communicate main passage 14 with said branch passages 34, 35. As no regulating valve is provided in this embodiment of manifold member the configuration of same will of course be simpler than for embodiments ilustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, both for coaxial opposite branches (FIG. 9), leftwards or rightwards branch (FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, respectively).

It may be added here that, because of the similarity of main member bodies in FIGS. la to 11, unitary manifold assemblies may be formed not only by using component members of the same type, as in FIGS. 1a to 4a, for a multiple valve assembly as shown in FIG. 5, but also by assembling different types of component mem bers either with regulating valve or not. That is to say, in accordance with the present invention, a manifold may be obtained by assembling one or more manifold members as in FIGS. 1a to 4a, and/or one or more manifold members as in FIGS. 6 to 8, and/or one or more manifold members as in FIGS. 9 to 11, the sequence of these manifold members in the assembly being selected by the skilled in the art on the ground of the desired bydraulic system to be installed.

What I claim is:

1. A manifold assembly for hydraulic systems, comprising an assembly of a plurality of identical component members which may be connected to each other, wherein each component member of the manifold comprises:

a. a tubular main body having a longer section with external threading at its end, and an opposite coaxial shorter section with internal end threading, the diameter and pitch of the threads being such that the externally threaded end portion of a first component member may be screwed into the internally threaded end portion of a second member thereby to form the internal main flow passage which is coaxial with the longer and shorter sections of the assembled members and which forms the main flow passage of the assembled manifold;

b. two coaxial opposite branches extendingfrom said longer section, the branch axes being spaced from the axis of main tubular body and normal in respect to this latter, each branch being of tubular form for providing opposite branch flow passages, the tubular body of said branches being connected with main tubular body through an intermediate tubular section, so that branch flow passages communicate with main flow passage through intermediate flow passage in said intermediate body, each free end of said branches being externally threaded to permit connecting extension pipes'thereto, flow passages of which extension pipes are then communicating with said main flow passage of the manifold; and

c. two integral angulated sections extending from said longer section, said angulated sections also being provided as hollow threaded bodies, each angulated section forming a valve receiving chamber wherein a valve may be screwed or unscrewed by the operator for independently regulating the fluid flow through the corresponding flow passage.

2. A manifold according to claim 1 wherein the axis of the opposite coaxial branches has a direction normal to axis of main tubular body and is spaced therefrom, so that all-axes of member branches, when component members are in threaded assembly and form the desired manifold, will be on the same plane and parallel to each other, the axial direction of each valve being at an angle of 45 to the corresponding branch to be regulated, and the first opposite branch being also at an angle of 45 to the intermediate section while the second opposite branch is at an angle of l35 to said intermediate section, both opposite branches communicating with main flow passage through a passage in said intermediate section, the fiuid flow being regulated by means of a related valve located in an angulated section.

3. A manifold according to claim 1 wherein the valve for each branch is seated into a valve receiving chamber in said angulated sections, each chamber having internal threading for tightly screwing a closure cap having a central through hole which is coaxial to the valve seat, so that a valve stem having a protruding head and a integral intermediate larger and threaded portion may be manually operated for regulating the corresponding valve and then the fluid flow which is passing from the main flow passage to said opposite branch passage through intermediate the flow passage in the intermediate section, a sliding motion of each valve being also provided through said cap hole when the stem and its intermediate larger and threaded portio are operated by acting on stem head.

4. A manifold according to claim 1 wherein a first unitary assembly formed by screwing a male threaded end of the longer section into a female threaded end of the opposite shorter section and a second, similarly formed, unitary assembly which is suitable for pairing side-by-side with the first assembly when the second assembly is upset about the axis of coaxial opposite branches and also rotated about the axis of main tubular body, so that main tubular sections of said manifold may be approached as near as possible to each other, with their axes parallel therebetween, and the coaxial opposite branches of the first assembled manifold may be arranged alternatively with, similar coaxial opposite branches of the second assembled manifold with all branch axes of both manifolds being on the same plane, and on a single plane will also be each set of alternatively arranged valve body axes of said manifold branches, said planes being at 90 to each other and at 45 to the plane of branch axis.

5. A component for use in producing a manifold by the assembly of a plurality of identical components, as in claim 1, comprising a tubular main body having a longer externally threaded section and a single opposite, coaxial, shorter internally threaded section comrising one branch extending from the axis of the main tubular body and normal in respect thereto, the flow passage of which communicates with said main flow passage through a passage in an intermediate section, said branch being provided with a valve body for seating therein the regulating valve for said branch flow passage.

6. A component for use in producing a manifold by the assembly of a plurality of identical components, as in claim 1, comprising a tubular main body having a longer externally threaded section and a single opposite, coaxial, shorter internally threaded section comprising one branch extending from the axis of the main tubular body and normal in respect thereto, wherein the flow passage of the branch also communicates with said main flow passage through a passage in an intermediate section, said branch being also provided with a valve body for seating therein the regulating valve of said branch flow passage.

7. A component member for use in producing a manifold by the assembly of a plurality of main tubular members as in claim 1, each tubular member having two coaxial opposite branches with flow passages which communicate with said main flow passage through a passage in an intermediate section, the axis of said branch flow passages being also normal to the main tubular body axis and spaced therefrom in accordance with claim 1.

8. A component member according to claim 7 comprising a main body (l2, 13) of a single type as at claim 1, wherein the flow passage of one branch section (35) communicates with main duct (14) for directing fluid flow throughout said branch passage (37) only.

9. A component member according to claim 7 comprising a main body l2, 13) of a single type in accordance with claim 1, wherein a branch section (34) only is provided, the flow passage (36) of which communicates with main flow passage (14) to direct the fluid flow through out said branch passage (36) only. 

1. A manifold assembly for hydraulic systems, comprising an assembly of a plurality of identical component members which may be connected to each other, wherein each component member of the manifold comprises: a. a tubular main body having a longer section with external threading at its end, and an opposite coaxial shorter section with internal end threading, the diameter and pitch of the threads being such that the externally threaded end portion of a first component member may be screwed into the internally threaded end portion of a second member thereby to form the internal main flow passage which is coaxial with the longer and shorter sections of the assembled members and which forms the main flow passage of the assembled manifold; b. two coaxial opposite branches extending from said longer section, the branch axes being spaced from the axis of main tubular body and normal in respect to this latter, each branch being of tubular form for providing opposite branch flow passages, the tubular body of said branches being connected with main tubular body through an intermediate tubular section, so that branch flow passages communicate with main flow passage through intermediate flow passage in said intermediate body, each free end of said branches being externally threaded to permit connecting extension pipes thereto, flow passages of which extension pipes are then communicating with said main flow passage of the manifold; and c. two integral angulated sections extending from said longer section, said angulated sections also being provided as hollow threaded bodies, each angulated section forming a valve receiving chamber wherein a valve may be screwed or unscrewed by the operator for independently regulating the fluid flow through the corresponding flow passage.
 2. A manifold according to claim 1 wherein the axis of the opposite coaxial branches has a direction normal to axis of main tubular body and is spaced therefrom, so that all axes of member branches, when component members are in threaded assembly and form the desired manifold, will be on the same plane and parallel to each other, the axial direction of each valve being at an angle of 45* to the corresponding branch to be regulated, and the first opposite branch being also at an angle of 45* to the intermediate section while the second opposite branch is at an angle of 135* to said intermediate section, both opposite branches communicating with main flow passage through a passage in said intermediate section, the fluid flow being regulated by means of a related valve located in an angulated section.
 3. A manifold according to claim 1 wherein the valve for each branch is seated into a valve receiving chamber in said angulated sections, each chamber having internal threading for tightly screwing a closure cap having a central through hole which is coaxial to the valve seat, so that a valve stem having a protruding head and a integral intermediate larger and threaded portion may be manually operated for regulating the corresponding valve and then the fluid flow which is passing from the main flow passage to said opposite branch passage through intermediate the flow passage in the intermediate section, a sliding motion of each valve being also provided through said cap hole when the stem and its intermediate larger and threaded portion are operated by acting on stem head.
 4. A manifold according to claim 1 wherein a first unitary assembly formed by screwing a male threaded end of the longer section into a female threaded end of the opposite shorter section and a second, similarly formed, unitary assembly which is suitable for pairing side-by-side with the first assembly when the second assembly is upset about the axis of coaxial opposite branches and also rotated about the axis of main tubular body, so that main tubular sections of said manifold may be approached as near as possible to each other, with their axes parallel therebetween, and the coaxial opposite branches of the first assembled manifold may be arranged alternatively with similar coaxial opposite branches of the second assembled manifold with all branch axes of both manifolds being on the same plane, and on a single plane will also be each set of alternatively arranged valve body axes of said manifold branches, said planes being at 90* to each other and at 45* to the plane of branch axis.
 5. A component for use in producing a manifold by the assembly of a plurality of identical components, as in claim 1, comprising a tubular main body having a longer externally threaded section and a single opposite, coaxial, shorter internally threaded section comrising one branch extending from the axis of the main tubular body and normal in respect thereto, the flow passage of which communicates with said main flow passage through a passage in an intermediate section, said branch being provided with a valve body for seating therein the regulating valve for said branch flow passage.
 6. A component for use in producing a manifold by the assembly of a plurality of identical components, as in claim 1, comprising a tubular main body having a longeR externally threaded section and a single opposite, coaxial, shorter internally threaded section comprising one branch extending from the axis of the main tubular body and normal in respect thereto, wherein the flow passage of the branch also communicates with said main flow passage through a passage in an intermediate section, said branch being also provided with a valve body for seating therein the regulating valve of said branch flow passage.
 7. A component member for use in producing a manifold by the assembly of a plurality of main tubular members as in claim 1, each tubular member having two coaxial opposite branches with flow passages which communicate with said main flow passage through a passage in an intermediate section, the axis of said branch flow passages being also normal to the main tubular body axis and spaced therefrom in accordance with claim
 1. 8. A component member according to claim 7 comprising a main body (12, 13) of a single type as at claim 1, wherein the flow passage of one branch section (35) communicates with main duct (14) for directing fluid flow throughout said branch passage (37) only.
 9. A component member according to claim 7 comprising a main body (12, 13) of a single type in accordance with claim 1, wherein a branch section (34) only is provided, the flow passage (36) of which communicates with main flow passage (14) to direct the fluid flow through out said branch passage (36) only. 